Hall of Fame: Orlando’s journey

Bruce Brown, Daily Advertiser, Oct. 16, 2011

The same fire and determination that propelled Orlando Thomas to All-America status and to a 7-year career in the NFL have enabled the former UL Ragin’ Cajun safety to survive 7 years while battling Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive disease of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscular movement. There is no known cure.

Defying the odds is nothing new for Thomas, who was inducted into the UL Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday along with tennis great Bill Bryan, softball pitcher Cheryl Longeway Hogan and basketball star Byron Starks.

He rose from being a 100-pound high school freshman to collegiate and professional stardom by shear will.

Unable to attend in person, the former Crowley High star was represented by his sister Coronda Williams, son Orlando Thomas Jr. and daughter Philamesha Davis in ceremonies during halftime of the Cajuns’ homecoming game with North Texas.

"I have embraced the journey," Thomas said in a Friday interview. "My wife and kids have been there with me for every step in this battle."

"It’s his will," said Notre Dame coach Lewis Cook, who coached Thomas at Crowley High and was on the UL staff during the defensive back’s career. "He’s been a fighter from Day 1. That’s Orlando; he ain’t giving in. He’s always been that way."

Thomas’s determination has helped him relish his selection to the Hall of Fame.

"I was very excited," said Thomas, whose No. 42 jersey has been retired by the school. "It’s beyond my wildest dreams, because it puts me in a class with all the great athletes that have played at UL.

"I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of my teammates, coaches, Mr. (Danny) Cottonham, John Porche, Big Lynn (Williams) and the four coaches who helped me to be the player and person I became — Lewis Cook, Donald Adams, Nelson Stokley and Mike Doherty. Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible.

"Coach Doherty is one of the best defensive back coaches in the nation."

"He did things on a daily basis that I thought were impossible," said Doherty, who coached Thomas at UL and is currently on the Teurlings Catholic staff. "The four years I had him, I was a great coach. After he left, I wasn’t nearly as good.

"He was just an outstanding athlete. I was fortunate to work with a lot of excellent athletes, but I don’t know if I ever had a better football player."

Thomas led the nation in interceptions with 9 as a junior n 1993, earning second-team UPI and third-team AP All-America acclaim.

He finished second on the Cajuns’ all-time career tackles list, and first among defensive backs, with 347. His 18 career interceptions rank third in school history.

Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft, Thomas made an immediate impact with a league-leading 9 interceptions as a rookie.

He spent seven seasons with the Vikings, amassing 473 career tackles and 22 interceptions in 98 games before retiring following the 2001 season.

"We’ve had highs and lows, but we’ve all embraced the journey," Thomas’s wife Demetra said. "It’s become a lifestyle for us.

"For us, the Hall of Fame is another part of the greatness of Orlando that we got to share. It’s a privilege for us. It’s another part of the journey. He’s been waiting for it, anticipating it. We knew he’d get there, but didn’t know whether he would be here to see it. That’s what makes this even greater."

"I would like to thank everyone for their support for my family and myself," said Thomas, who said Orlando Thomas Jr., 11, wants to carry on the family legacy.

"I haven’t pushed him to be a football player," Thomas said. "I want him to be a great person, but he wants to following in my footsteps. He talks about UL all the time. It looks like it’s going to be an automatic thing that he’ll go there."

It would be a nearly impossible act to follow.

"Orlando was one of the most driven players I ever coached," Cook said. "He knew what he wanted and would do anything to achieve it. He was one of the best leaders. He willed our 1989 Crowley team to the state championship by his example. We started out 2-2, then won 11 straight. He expected everybody else to do what he did.

"After is redshirt year at UL, once he got on the field and was put in a position to perform, they realized that he could be pretty special.

"He became like my oldest son. He’s just a special person."

Orlando Thomas will celebrate his 39th birthday on Friday, the latest step in a remarkable journey.